Credit: (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Harvard Feels Sting Of US Olympic Women's Hockey Loss

The U.S. women’s Olympic ice hockey team suffered a painful loss to Canada in overtime this afternoon.

It was tense, but supportive crowd at Harvard University’s Athletic Center, home of the U.S. coach and three players, after the third period, when Team USA and Canada were tied at 2 goals apiece.

But after several attempts to end the tie in overtime, Canada won.

The loss was particularly painful for Harvard ice hockey fans. Harvard and Olympic Coach Katey Stone is in Sochi with three current Harvard players: Josephine Pucci, Michelle Picard and Lyndsey Fry. And Olympic forward Julie Chu graduated from Harvard in 2007. Their win over Finland was a boost, and they hoped to beat Canada for gold. Harvard Athletics spokesman Tim Williamson says it’s still a historic day.

“Obviously, losing in overtime’s a tough way to go, but we’re still very proud of them that they represented the university and the country very well," he said. "And they get to bring home the silver medal, which is nothing to be ashamed of.”

Canada captured a historic fourth Olympic gold medal in women's hockey with the 3-2 overtime win. And the final Boston connection? The player who scored the winning goal — Marie-Philip Poulin — is a senior at Boston University.